World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of February 18, 2002:

Our question this week comes from Karen

Why do my blocks get distorted other than ironing or seaming?

Wendy :
Hi Karen when sewing strips or segments of your block are you leting your machine do the work or are you helping the fabric over the feed dogs? This will add stretch to some extent(a little here and a little there it all adds up when putting the block together.)Are you using water/steam when pressing? Try it dry Good luck to you

Karin :
Cheap fabric that is not tightly woven, or contains non-cotton threads that don't hold shape

Carole :
Cut your pieces or strips on the lengthwise of the fabric rather than the crosswise grain. There is less stretching with the lengthwise grain.
Also remember to press your seams and not iron them. Also make sure the fabric has been pressed before you start to cut to make sure there are no wrinkles.

Mary Dixon :
If any lengthy strips were used in creating the block, it could well be that the crosswise grain was used which can lead to more stretching when cutting and sewing. Better to cut along the lengthwise grain.

I've also mistakenly used a fabric with too much polyester and when pressing, the blended fabric "shrunk" from the heat of the iron.

pattynpieces :
Hi Karen,
One thing we must never do is pull or stretch fabric in any direction while handling & pressing. To press seams open, lay the iron on top of piece with out pulling in any direction. hope this helps.
pattynpieces

Kathy in WA :
bias edges maybe? They can be a problem because of stretching. If bias edges are part of the problem, and the pieces can't be cut so that the edges are straight, then spray starch will help to keep them under control.

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